Promoting Sexual Health and Tackling Sexually Transmitted Infection Stigmas

Even today, sexual health remains a sensitive, personal, and relatively taboo topic to address, for both patients and health professionals. Not surprisingly, many social stigmas and misinformation have evolved around this topic, perpetuating a climate of confusion and, at times, anxiety. Most importantly, these barriers can impede the effective dissemination of important information regarding "risky" health-related behaviors and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), particularly among sexually active teens and young adults. Health professionals can play a vital role in facilitating communication, suppressing stigmas, disseminating accurate information, and promoting realistic expectations and behaviors regarding sexual health among this at-risk group. To this end, this course reviews the commonly held beliefs, attitudes and stigmas associated with STIs (e.g., HIV, Herpes, Human Papilloma Virus, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Trichomoniasis) among sexually active youth and their psychosocial sequelae. Ways to demystify and debunk associated myths and replace them with accurate health-related expectations and goals are addressed.